As I check my notes and reflect on the past week or so, I realize that the Dock Party wasn’t a month ago but just over a week ago. When the Fourth of July falls on Wednesday our world gets scrambled and early deadlines have to be honored. The Founding Fathers arranged it that way just to keep us on our toes.

There was a wonderful and diverse collection of BHYC yachts dockside on Saturday evening, June 30. The committee is to be congratulated for the planning and the brief but concise resume of each vessel. The owners of the eight “Stars of the Show” deserve our thanks.

The frosting on the cake was the great dinner that followed. George McEvoy, owner and master of the Grand Banks schooner Sherman Zwicker invited the BHYC men’s sailing group to come aboard for her short three-hour cruise on July 2 from Boothbay Harbor to her summer berth at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath. Many men accepted the invitation including your writer.

The weather was spectacular, the passengers thoroughly enjoyed the trip and the Zwicker is a treasure: Thank you, George.

With hardly time to catch our breath, it’s the Fourth of July. The weather fairy behaved herself for most of the day but asserted her mean-streak at the time of the fireworks. We were not singled out – Portland, LA, and many other towns got the same treatment.

Maybe it was worth the wait! When the postponed display went off on July 5, conditions were perfect. Many BHYC members and friends availed themselves of our excellent dining capabilities for the fireworks and had a ringside seat as a bonus.

We have three new couples as members: please welcome them. They are Matt & Jose McComiskey, David & Glenda Emery, and Stephen & Barbara Baseman. Your writer is extremely biased but you have made a wise decision and you will receive more than you give – welcome aboard!

Do any of us wonder about the proliferation of kayaks in Maine waters over the past decade? We now have an opportunity to experience the sport first hand. A BHYC kayak/scull club has formed. The chief spokesman for the group is Sharma Schacknow, a kayak devotee and fellow BHYC member. Soon we will have another form of watercraft to add to our fleet of Optis, 420’s, J22’s and One Designs. Contact Sharma for more information on handling and enjoying kayaking.

The coves and inlets in our waters are perfect for the sport. Many years ago I was seriously concerned that ski-dos were about to burst on the Boothbay Harbor scene. Thank Goodness for the Kayak.
Bob & Joan Chase are heading up the 2012 version of the annual Golf Classic. Golfers meet at the Boothbay Golf Club at 1 p.m. on July 25 for the shotgun scramble match. It will be a joint effort by Downeast Y C, Southport YC and BHYC.

After the match, the players will gather for dinner and awards at the BHYC: time 6:30 p.m.

Your writer played in early versions of this tournament and I can attest to a very good time. If you play golf at any level, give it a shot: you will not regret it.

The annual Wine dinner is set for Tuesday, July 17 – “Classic New Orleans Remembered” is the theme this year. The six course feast will feature several dishes that were created in this unique city. Only 64 guests will be served to this usually sold out event: reserve quickly. Our Thanks go to Diann Ring for her planning and imagination.

The “Sunday Suppah” on Tuesday, July 17, will feature an after dinner speaker who will tell of treasures and relics found here in Maine waters. We apologize for late reporting in some cases.

Early deadlines and some internet problems are our only excuse – the defense rests!